Executions a bad sign for Bali Nine pair

Indonesia's execution of five foreign nationals despite international pressure, and pointed diplomatic entreaties, cannot bode well for Australia's Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan.

The Bali Nine pair, on death row since 2005 for heroin smuggling, are on the same list of 26 prisoners that Indonesia has said it will execute this year.

This weekend's executions were the first since 2013, and the first under new president Joko Widodo who maintains a hard line on drugs despite being elected in October on a reformist agenda.

The five foreigners - from Brazil, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Malawi and Nigeria - were shot dead by a firing squad along with one Indonesian.

The international response has been one of dismay, with Brazilian President Dilma Roussef saying she was "distressed and outraged" at the execution of a countryman despite repeated pleas for clemency.

Both Brazil and the Netherlands are temporarily recalling their ambassadors to Indonesia, and human rights group Amnesty International again urged Indonesia to "immediately halt plans to put more people to death".

Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten on Sunday said the executions were "dreadful news".

He was also asked whether Indonesia's apparent willingness to carry though with the executions - irrespective of international fallout or pressure - was a bad sign.

"Well, when things are so delicately in the balance one doesn't want to say anything to inflame it," he said.

"But again ... I believe that Australians no matter what their political views, want to see clemency extended to these young Australians facing this dreadful prospect of the death penalty.

"We will work with the (Abbott) government to make sure that clemency is extended to Australians who are facing this most dreadful prospect in the coming days and weeks."

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said his government would make "the strongest possible representations" to Indonesia seeking mercy for Chan and Sukumaran, but said it would be foolish to risk jeopardising diplomatic relations.

Chan, 31, and Sukumaran, 33, were sentenced to death for their part in a 2005 scheme to import more than 8kg of heroin from Indonesia to Australia.

Australia has long supported calls for the pair to receive a presidential pardon - the final avenue within Indonesia's legal system to escape the death penalty.

Sukumaran had his bid for a pardon formally denied last month, while Chan is still waiting for the outcome of his appeal.

This is likely to delay Sukumaran's planned execution date as Indonesian officials have said the pair would be executed at the same time, should Chan also not be granted a pardon.